Interesting Discussion on Face-off

To many videos for me to put on here, at least with my limited knowledge - but check it out. There are multiple good ones, but speaking at this point to the discussion on the existence on Satan.

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Nightline/FaceOff/

The Shack

Here is a clip by Mark Driscoll on "The Shack" very interesting. I have not read the book but no many that have. Check it out for yourself. Would love to hear feedback on what he says.

Baby Practises

So as we have a new foster baby thought I should do some research on what to do ...

Whispers

So we had an awesome Sunday morning at Church. Our youth band played amazingly. Steve is taking us through Nehemiah - "Descending to Greatness". One things he said, or at least that I heard from God through him that came as a challenge to me was in how we look to hear from God. Many hide behind I haven't felt God telling me to do this to do ... nothing. It would seem they don't change their underwear without a sign, but we all know that's not true, they just use it as a excuse when they don't feel like doing it. God speaks in so many ways, but often I have and heard others say God make it so clear to me, like yell it at me so I can't make a mistake. I was challenged that our intimate relationship with God, brings us to the point where we hear even the faintest whisper from God. We are in tune, listening, conversing, reading his Word so much that his whispers are all that we need.
I'm stubborn and so I'll still pray for God to make it so clear that I can't help but follow his will, but my goal and prayer is that I'd be so close to Him, I'd hear the whispers and follow.

Difference in Words

So I'm not a big political person and am a hard core Canadian, so really the presidential stuff yesterday didn't mean much to me. That being said I do understand that this really although being a US thing was a World event, so I watched the speech while at my desk and then again at my homiletics class last night. We had a big discussion on the "rhetoric" in it - the use of words, what he said ... Someone mentioned something about Rick Warren praying, but I had missed that one so I googled it to see what he said. It was interesting - he got slammed it seemed from every direction. For not being "professional" enough for this event, for saying the words "Jesus Christ", for not saying enough on the stage he was given. Some say he left his words to too easily be taken multiple ways to not offend anyone, some wonder what he really meant and question whether he is really accepting of everyone or as one person put it 'does he hug the Muslim and the homosexual, but in the back of his mind think about the fact that they are still going to hell'.
The thing is that Obama - although the speech was good said .. nothing - he talked about history and got people excited, but really didn't lead me anywhere. But I guess maybe he knew the lash back he would face.
So the question is should Warren have been more careful as to not draw attention and ridicule or should he have just be more blunt knowing it was coming anyways.

A journey of different sorts

So we went to Belleville this weekend for Elisabeth's Dad's 60th birthday party. I had checked the weather earlier in the day and they were calling for snow flurries so I mentioned that we should leave a little earlier. The fact that Elisabeth wanted to stay as long as possible combined likely with the fact that it was not snowing there made Elisabeth come to the conclusion we should stay longer. We finally pulled out just before 10pm. The road was clear for .. about 30 minutes, then what should have taken about 2 hours took 3 hours. The snow started and who knows where the snow plows were, the few times we saw them it was one semi clearing off 1 lane. We saw more accidents than we saw plows even as we got close to home after 1 the roads were covered and no plows in sight.
Back the the accidents - I saw 8 accidents in TO that night. 1 happened 100 feet in front of us while we were driving - all I saw was a huge puff of snow and then a car spinning around. 2 more were in the middle of the road facing us waiting for a tow truck after spinning into the median and damaging the car to the point of not being able to move. 3 more were either just being loaded up or the truck was pulling up to the car and the final 2 well I just saw car parts up against the median where tire tracks led to. There were more tracks that looked like something had happened but these are the 8 that we saw complete evidence of.
So what was going through my head ... well I've often had the talk with people about prayer and whether you should pray to ask God to keep you safe. A well know writer and speaker, Erwin McManus - says we shouldn't that what happens is what happens and that we should just do what we feel God has for us. He talks about explaining this to his son, and about flying often after 9/11 when so many were canceling speaking engagements. I'm still working through where I fall on this but as we drove through that the other night scripture came to mind and it was my prayer as we made out way home "They rod and the staff they comfort me" other translations are protect, secure - this doesn't really answer the question of whether we should pray this or not, but it was my prayer and a little comfort as we drove - a thought from the protector, comforter.

The Journey

God has taken me on a journey over the past couple years - which amazingly took me to other parts of the world and to levels of faith and evaluation of life I had not been before.
The other parts of the world, well the biggest was Ethiopia where this picture is from, and this is Nardos a little girl who touched my heart. It has been amazing to travel with teens and be a part of the lives of kids especially that need love - to just be played with, hugged, smiled at, given gifts to, and most of all just spend time with. Through this God took me from the most comfortable place at home in a church I loved, through one of the hardest years of my life and through trusting in Him - to another church that I love. It's been here that a journey that started in my heart long ago has started to move again.
I'm a selfish person - I realize that - I thank God for his patience with me as I try to give me to Him and others. I've been challenged more lately though on a different end of the compassion spectrum. I've experienced amazing things travelling the world caring for kids, caring for kids that come to our home as foster kids but its some of the little things in life that God has been pulling at. I'll share a story with you to help illustrate before I rabble on and confuse you.

Just before Christmas we were on our way back to Cambridge when we stopped in Woodstock for gas (cause Cambridge is the most expensive place ever for gas for some reason!) There were 4 spots all taken and I was next in line finally. A guy pulls out slowly so I try to be patient and wait till he completely pulls away. When the lady behind me pulls around me and towards that spot. I think "No way she must be pulling up to buy something", so I pull around the other way to pull in there ... Nope she pulls in so I pull up beside her and give her the horn! She deserved it right. I felt like getting out and asking her what made her more important than everyone else in the world, but I used some self control - like I said God has me on a journey. I pull in to the next open one and the guy beside me who saw it just smiles and shakes his head.

See my understanding before was, well she deserved it so I better give it to her so she can learn - and in some certain circumstances I'm sure that is true - but I wish and God keeps impressing this on my heart - that I would have just let it be. Who knows what God may have had in store, who knows why this lady pulled in there.

I wonder at times where my selfishness even in areas like this that don't seem like it at first glance - continue to get in the way of my testimony, to God's plan for me and those around me.

The journey started with doing fun always rewarding times of working with kids - and takes me to the place where I really need to do some work, check myself at the door and let God rule in all my life.

Sundin

Ok so I'm not sure how many that read this care or know about hockey but I have to write this.

Mats Sundin signed with the Vancouver Canucks today. Honestly I supported the guy as a Leaf, and last year when he wouldn't waive his no trade clause because he wanted to stay a Leaf, and didn't want to be a rental player cause he didn't believe in it ... I didn't like the decision but supported it. I mean for a guy who says he is so thankful to this organization the best thing he could have ever done is take the trade and set them on a road to be better for years to come. Again he signed the no trade clause and thus earned it. It's just all the talk and reasons behind it that stink worse than most of the hockey bags I can't stand the smell of after guys leave them in their trunk all week long.

He wanted to stay a Leaf and wanted to not be a rental player. The leafs offered him a contract if he came back for as much money as he's worth. I don't care if Vancouver wants to spend 10 million on him he is a good player, but not that good. The leafs are really not that bad of a team, they are 9 points behind the canucks but the canucks have played 2 more games. And if you aren't a rental player ... then don't wait till 1/3 of the way through the season to sign with a team. This year he is a rental player for Vancouver, he waited to see how the season was going. I like Canadian team, for the most part outside of Montreal I cheer for them, but I hope Vancouver fizzles out, I hope they miss the playoffs. I don't understand his choices, he goes to a team that is going to have go through San Jose and Detroit to even make it to the finals ... Maybe he'll fit in there, maybe Vancouver will be a really good team as a result of him being there, but a guy that seemed to gain so much respect cause he wanted to stay and help this organization lost all of it. He cost the organization, and smudged his character with how he dealt with it.
So "Rental Sundin" thanks for some great years in TO and for the kick in the head on the way out ... out from a city that embraced you even though you never brought the cup they thought you would bring.

A-Team

Here is a video promoting our upcoming series we are doing at 3:16 in January. Looking at who you need to have around you to help you grow in your walk with God.

2 ends of the spectrum

So I went out today to pick up some stuff for the church and went to 2 different stores. With the economic circumstances here money is tight everywhere, and around Christmas time you often wonder what that means. I went to Food Basics as we had arranged for them to help us out a little with our "Christmas in a Basket". This is a way for our youth to bless the lives of people who could really use it at Christmas. We collect food and deliver a turkey meal to their homes that they can cook up themselves at Christmas. We are working with the Christopher Champlain Center here to find where the greatest need is and meet it. With all the economic circumstances they still chose to give us some gift certificates to help us create more meals.
I went from there to EB Games. I had been there 2 weeks previous to buy some games for our youth wing, but didn't end up getting them at the time. December rolls around and the price of the used games I was looking at had doubled! At most of the games I looked at were all more than when I had been there previous. I had trouble finding a game in the same price range. I walked out empty handed hoping that in the new year things will come back to normal. Although really I hope not - I hate to believe that the price of games there would double at Christmas as people come in to find stuff for their kids. I know businesses have to survive, but the gaming industry doesn't seem to be hurting and at this time of year, stuff like that flies off the shelves. I wonder how many people are going to pay double the price because they weren't there 2 weeks ago like I was.

At any rate - thank you FOOD BASICS for showing the true heart behind Christmas - and thank you EB games for ... well being scrooge I guess.

Christmas

Well Christmas in upon us, I just got through the busy Christmas week for myself - 2 Christmas youth parties and 2 Christmas Cantatas to go to. Now the question everyone asks are you ready for Christmas? Really what they mean is have you bought all your gifts? Here is a good video to watch for all you guys - even if you have bought the gift already.

Hockey

Well since I started playing goalie a couple years ago I've pretty much stopped playing out in hockey. I didn't play at all last year and once the year before I think, and the same the year before that. Needless to say, it's been almost 3 years with out playing at all. In the mean time I acquired a new pair of skates that I have never worn, and a new stick I have never used. I went last night and played with some guys in St. George. I guess goalies don's show up here and there and so I took both sets of equipment, but both goalie showed this week so I played out. I was the oldest guy on the ice - most seemed to be 20. I actually did alright though - scored 2 goals, and only fell flat on my face once. Not bad for an old guy - it was great to get back out and play. Surprisingly I'm not sore today either.

More Christmas

We all enjoy a little Charlie Brown. I showed this to 70 Jr. Highs last night and they loved it. As I watched this again, I was struck with the reminder about the gift that we were given. To often we stop at the miracle of the virgin birth at Christmas. I don't say this to downplay this - I think the virgin birth is one of the most amazing miracles ever. I was reminded of it this week when watching HOUSE. I won't be able to relay this right but I'll try. The idea is that genes could mutate and somehow by a "medical miracle" a woman could conceive a child without ever having sex. In the show House lied to make a couple who was engaged believe this, but it was untrue.
We can't question that validity of this (virgin birth), it is as essential to us as Christ's resurrection. Which takes me back to my original thought - the verse the Linus quotes when talking about the meaning of Christmas. Found in Luke - I'll let you look it up your self. But often what gets lost in all the talk about Jesus being born, the star, the shepherds, the wisemen and stable ... the fact that when Jesus was born, they called Him

Saviour

We don't just celebrate Jesus birth at Christmas. We celebrate the coming, the realization, of our Saviour.

What will you do?

Christmas

So I found this video (click on "Christmas" above to view) a little while ago can't remember where - on someone else's blog, or facebook. Got reminded of it when Steve showed it this Sunday at church. We often talk about things like this as churches, and families but too often it never comes to pass. I know there are a million and one opportunities to serve at Christmas and everyone is asking for money for their organization - but too often that is our excuse. That others are asking and instead of being a part we just don't pick anything. I know this has been me unfortunately in the past both for the reason that I just couldn't decide and would forget and that I just didn't want to give and so "trying to figure it out" seemed like a good way to get out of it.

So, what will you do? It doesn't have to be solving world hunger or the water problem - it could be spending time with someone who has been forgotten by too many or just doesn't have the resources to make anything happen.

We can make excuses all we want, this year in stead

Make memories.

Christmas

I read a story recently about a guy in Tokyo that was doing interviews on the street - asking people about Christmas. One of the responses he got both made me laugh but as well made me really think about where our culture is and how unfortunately true the statement was. A lady responded,

"Isn't it the time of year we remember the death of Jesus".

I mean in some ways I want to know what bubble she has been living in, but in the same sense I look at what CHRISTmas has become and understand a little.

When you think about it, its the leading holiday that has pushed Christ out of everything. It's the holiday season, Merry xmas, the holiday tree. This has infiltrated so much more than this, but really the more Christ gets forgotten in Christmas - the more that statement becomes true. It seems the day is coming when more people may know the other meanings of Christmas and not have a clue about the real meaning.

Surreal experiences

So no pics for this one yet but I'll hope to add some in the coming days.

I had a couple experiences over the past couple days on vacation that were truly amazing and for me at the time surreal.

First, my brother-in-law and I went down the creek on the kayak. The dam, had just been lowered thus the water was really rushing. About a 5 minute hike up is a waterfall. I was pretty excited about what I knew was ahead. The water was rushing like I had never seen before. After a run in with a Fisher, which is a pretty small animal a little bigger than a rat, we made our way down the waterfall (more about the Fisher at the bottom if you care) We proceeded to try and find places where we could lodge ourselves against some rocks and push against the waterfall. I realized 2 things - one I needed to tighten my shorts and two which made the previous obvious, that water was alot stronger than I was. At one point I put my leg in the water to have in thrust into a rock - needless to say this was very uncomfortable.

Second, I went for a kayak down the creek again after a thunderstorm had just passed over. Everyone else was hiding inside, but those who know me know that I don't do stuck inside very well. Plus the water is amazing so who cares what its like outside. I started down, going through the fog that was coming of the water after the storm, and the thunder from the storm now on the other end of the lake still shook the kayak. Things got a little more worry some on the way back. I went to check out my friend the fisher and the storm was pretty isolated and had come back to the cottage I left the waterfall, got in the kayak and turned the corner to come back and all I saw was dark clouds so I went full out the whole way with a lightening storm encouraging me on.

It was so cool especially the second one to sit back and just "wow" at God and his creation and how powerful He is. Both these are nothing in comparison to his strength, but I was like nothing compared to it.

So now to the Fisher story for those who care - Dave and I started looking around testing out the water and waterfalls and finding our best way around when we saw this little runt who looked not to happy that we were around. I haven't seen many of these animals around and I'm starting to understand why. It kept running around and we weren't sure what to make of it. Next thing I know he gets in the water, swims across to where we are and comes at us! Dave was right behind me, I stress was cause he bolted to the waterfall where the water likely rushed to fast for the little critter. I did the first thing that came to mind. Grabbed a stick and took a swat, he took off and we never saw him again. For all you animal lovers don't worry I didn't hit him, although if he came back again I couldn't promise I wouldn't have made sure to put all the years of sports and swinging bats and clubs at small objects into play.

And people say I'm pig headed

So I've had the discussion many times about I'm pig headed or not, I don't deny being a little stubburn, and Elisabeth and I have often joked around about me not liking to be wrong. I always say, I don't deny that, I don't like to be wrong, that's why I'm usually not. My idea is that I don't usually talk to loudly about things unless I know cause ya I don't like to be wrong, why would I?

But just to show how open I am to guidance when it's right I'll let you in on a happening in our place over the last little while. Maybe it'll even help you.

We bought some new mouth wash the other day. Not sure how we got on the topic but somehow it came around to the fact that I have always rinsed after I brush, I guess I just figured "Hey it'll give you the freshest breath the longest" I mean with the burn sometimes lasting 15 minutes the freshness has to last longer than that. Elisabeth let me know that 30 years of rinsing has been done wrong. That you actually are suppose to rinse before cause it helps loosen the plaque and stuff to be brushed away. Now this where reading the label would have helped, but who actually ever does that?

So I've changed my ways, I rinse before now, and not sure if its a mental thing or not but it does seem to work better. I guess you can let me know about the fresh breath thing.

My only question is why did a dentist or hygienist (aka torture person)not even tell me this?

Big heads and Bucket Lists

So I watched the movie the Bucket List the other day. Great movie, but as always one thing really stuck out to me. There is a point where they are having a discussion after seeing an amazing sight out of a airplane window. They start talking about God creating it, and get into a really neat discussion about whether God exists or not when the quote comes across "my head gets in the way". Thus the picture of Barry Bonds and a big head. Which could really be taken to ways with him, cause he is quite conceited so a big head comment fits, but in that you have to think that his head got in the way of so many decisions he made and got him to where he is today.

While doing some research on the book of Acts I came across the meaning of the name Paul - it means small. Saul changed his name to Paul when his life was changed on the Road to Damascus. He started a new life, and thus a new name, and choice the name Paul ... little or small - not wanting to let himself get in the way of what God was going to do. Makes that comment that your head can get in the way pretty dead on. Doing it on our own would seem to me to be linked to what we in this world would call a big head. I mean how can you be more conceited than to think you can do it better than God. And Saul when amazed with the truths and overwhelmed with the love that Christ had for him, and the power of the Holy Spirit, can only change his name to something that exemplifies what he needs to do. He needs to be small, and not let his head get in the way anymore.

Thoughts over Mac and Cheese

So someone just had to bring up Mac and cheese in our staff meeting this morn. Call me a child, call me stupid you likely have before, call me whatever you want, but I love this stuff. Mac and cheese is soooooo good. Maybe its cause I didn't live of it at college, although I really can't see that being all that bad, but I still at times when I go somewhere and they've made "meal A" for adults and Mac and cheese for kids, wish I could get relegated to the kids table. There are likely many other childish foods I like but I'll save that.
So after staff meeting I walked home for one of the things I enjoy most these days ... lunch with my boy. Elisabeth was waiting to eat so Nate and I enjoyed a good ole box of fake KD cause so often now it actually tastes better. It was at this time, as we sat at the table together both of our heads bearing very little hair, that I remembered 2 comments from the weekend.
2 times on Sunday we had 2 different people who didn't know us make comments about how he didn't need to tell anyone who his parents were cause that was quite obvious who we were. I just love this - I mean how amazing is God that he brought this amazing little guy into our lives that is the perfect match for us in so many ways, and on top of that, gets told all the time how much he looks like his daddy.

So I look forward to the days ahead when we chomp down on some Mac and cheese together, talk about how great God is and what He is doing in both our lives.

Hopefully he will always love it as much as I do .

When Apologies don't work

I'm sure the lady that called our house 5 times last night and once that we know of the night before was feeling alot like this picture.
It seemed at first one of those thing where a person just can't hit the right numbers on the phone. She kept calling back, and unfortunately saying she didn't speak english very well is an understatement. So after Elisabeth had talked to her enough that she didn't want to again I answered the phone. I tried to be nice ... I hope I was, but I just told her that it was the wrong number and please don't call it again. No idea what she said ... I couldn't understand - I just repeated its the wrong number and not to call. We had only got the phone the day before and other than my sister calling me once, this lady was the only call we received.
It all seemed a bit weird so Elisabeth called Rogers. From what I understand somehow we did get this lady's ... husband's (we are thinking she was saying) number. How not sure, luckily we hadn't started giving many our number yet, cause we got a new one.

So I'll likely never talk to that lady again, her calls won't come to us anymore, but to her I say I'm sorry. You may have been telling me you just called the Number on Monday and it worked and wondered how it wasn't now. It's funny for me, but likely it sucked for her.